Tap for barrels



June 9, 1936. BERICE 2,043,491

TAP FOR BARREL-S Filed June 29', 1954 Patented June 9, 1936 PATENT GFFICE TAP FOR BARRELS Frank E. Rice, Detroit, Mich., assigner to American Tap Bush Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 29, 1934, Serial No. 732,967

10 Claims.

The present invention 'relates to taps for barreis and more particularly to `taps applicable to beer barrels andthe like, for securing pump rods in the `barrels whereby to withdraw the beer or other -barreled .contents.

An object fof the present 4invention is to provide a tap `for barrels so constructed as to be economically manufactured for .sale at reasonable prices.

Another object -of the invention is to provide a tap of the Peerless type which may be cheaply manufactured Vfor sale at competitive prices, and which at the `same time possesses all of the advantages and eiciency of the Peerless type of tap.

A still `further object of the invention is to provide .a beer bar-rel tap which is foreshortened, and which at the .same time functions in all respects Vfor efficiently seating a pump rod in a barrel ,against dislodgrnent of the rod and leakage of iiuid from the barrel. 'I'he tap is so constructed as to project but a short distance above the top of a barrel or keg.

A still further object Vof the present invention is to provide a tap so constructed as to be economically manufactured with minimum labor eX- penditure.

Generally speaking, the invention contemplates a tap .having a foreshortened body member and a separate ferrule or chamber member, enveloped by the body member, .and with which ferrule is `an air nipple connection. rl'fhe invention further contemplates aollower nut engageable with the outer `body adapted for application of pressure Yagainst the rod washer contained within the ferrule or inner chamber, for clamping a rod in position in the tap.

The above, other :and further objects of the invention will Vbe apparent from the following description, accompanying drawing, andappended claims.

An embodiment Vof the present invention is illustrated in the accompanyingA drawing, and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through a tap constructed in accordance with the princi-v ples of the present invention, and showing a iragmental portion of a rod Aas clamped in the tap.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View through the outer or enveloping member of the tap of the present invention and showing the inner or enveloped member inverted as to position, for application to or removal from the outer member.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of lthe tap of Figure l, showing the inserted rod in section.

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, taken substantially at with respect to Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line V-V of Figure 1.

The drawing will now be explained.

A keg, or barrel, I, has inserted in it a tap -bush Z of the Peerless type.

The tap of the present invention comprises two separate members, herein designated -as A and B, the member A `being the outer `or enveloping member and the other member B being the inner or enveloped member.

The outer member or body A is provi-ded with lugs i which project underneath the anges 4 of the bush 2, as is common practice.

The body A is provided with an upstanding neck 5 at its upper end, which neck is interiorly threaded at 6. The wall of the `body A is formed with an elongated opening `or aperture 1, the purpose of which will be later explained.

The inner or enveloped member B has an interior bore in it terminating in an inwardly extending annular shoulder or ledge 8, serving as a seat for a pump rod washer 9. The surface of the shoulder 8 is inclined downwardly, as viewed in the drawing, that is toward the lower end of the inner member B. The member B has its lower end undercut as at Ill, with a centrally disposed iiange I I, to receive a sealing washer I2. The undercut portion IB is so shaped as to crown the sealing washer I2 as the same is tightened against the flange l of the bush 2. The inner member B has, as an integral part thereof, a nipple I3 in the outer end of which is inserted an air valve, represented at I4, and which nipple communicates through the duct I5, with the rod receiving space in the member B, for the purpose of applying air or carbonio acid gas to the interior of the `barrel or keg to which the tap of the present invention may be applied.

The nipple i3 of the member B projects through the aperture 1 in the member A. The inner member B is shown in operative relation, in Figure l of the drawing. To remove the inner member B from the body A, all that is necessary to be done is to remove the sealing washer I2 and the rod washer 9, after of course the follower has been removed, as well as the rod, and with the nipple I3 as a handle, invert the member B, within the member A, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, whereupon the member may be readily withdrawn through the bottom opening of the member A. The member B is inserted in the member A in the reverse direction, until the parts are in the arrangement of Figure 2, whereupon the member B is turned to the upright position, as illustrated in Figure 1.

For cooperating with the member B, to clamp a pump rod D in the top, a follower I, is provided, for entering the upper end of the member B, and thus centering it and also for compressing the rod washer 9. The follower I is herein illustrated as being connected to a nut Il threaded to engage the thread 6 of the neck 5 of the member A, and which nut is provided with wings I3 for ease in manipulation. The follower is swivelled in the nut so that as the nut is turned in a direction to force the follower l against the rod washer 9 to compress it, the nut may rotate with respect to the follower, with the follower at rest against rotative movement, thus preventing damage to the rod washerrg by reason of the rotation of the nut I1.

When the tap is separated from a bush, the rod B is not in it, in which event the member B is loose within the member A but may be retained by rattling therein by movement of the nut l1 to tighten the follower I6 against the rod washer' S.

When the tap of the present invention is applied to a tap bush, the nut l 'l is loosened to permit ready application of the lugs 3 of the body A to the flanges 4 of the bush, which tap is then rotated in the usual manner until the lugs 3 strike the stops underneath the flanges ll of the bush, which stops are not shown. The body A is provided with lugs I9 which may be used for applying the tap to or removing it from the bush.

After the tap has been applied as just described,

the pump rod or beer rod C is then inserted in the usual manner, and the nut l'l moved to cause the follower I6 to compress the rod washer 9 about the rod and thus secure the rod in a barrel or keg. The tightening of the nut against the rod washer 9 tends to move the inner part B toward the tap bush 2, with the result, that the body A of the tap is raised, and the tap as a whole securely locked to the bush. The movement of the member B, crowns the sealing washer i2, as may be observed in Figure 1, to thus effectively seal the connection between the tap and the barrel and make a leak-tight connection at the joint. The opposite faces of the rod washer 9 are parallel, and because of the inclination of the face of the shoulder 8 of the member B, and because of the fact that the opening through the lower part of the member B, is slightly greater than the diameter of the rod D, gas within the barrel will bear against the under side of the washer 9 and increase the holding effect thereof against the rod C.

After the rod C has been secured in the manner stated, suitable connection is made to the nipple I3, with a source of air pressure, such as compressed air or a hand pump er the like, or with carbonio acid gas tank, for the purpose of creating pressure within the barrel for discharging the contents thereof through the rod C.

The tap of vthe present invention, effectively seals the connection between the tap and the bush and at the same time effectively retains the pump rod C in position in the tap, against accidental dislodgment because of presence of gas pressure within the barrel or keg.

The tap of thepresent invention is economical to manufacture, in Vfact cheaper to manufacture than the type of tap which has a nipple and barrel integrally cast or united. Constructing the inner member B, in the manner herein described and illustrated, is unique, and is cheap to construct and at the same time efficient for the purpose intended.

The tap of the present invention may be substituted for taps of other designs that are now on the market, with full assurance that the present tap will be as eiiicient for the purpose intended as those now in use at the present time.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to details, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby, .as changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

'Ihe invention is claimed as follows:

1. A beer barrel tap comprising a two part structure, one part adapted to receive and envelop the other part, said other part being provided with means forming a seat for a rod washer and for receiving a rod washer, a rod washer within said other part, said one part adapted for connection to a tap bush, and a nut inserted in engagement with said one part and having a follower adapted to enter said other part to center it and to engage and compress the rod washer about a pump rod inserted in said tap.

2. A beer barrel tap comprising a two part structure, one part adapted to receive and envelop the other part, said other part being provided with means forming a seat for a rod washer and for receiving a rod washer, said one part adapted for connection to a tap bush, and a nut inserted in engagement with said one part and having a follower adapted to enter said other part to center it and to engage and compress the rod washer about a pump rod inserted in said tap, said other part being provided with means affording connection for an air pump or the like.

3. A beer barrel tap comprising a two part structure, one part adapted to receive and envelop the other part, said other part being provided with means forming a seat for a rod washer and for receiving a rod washer, said one part adapted for connection to a tap bush, a nut 1nserted in engagement with said one part and having a follower adapted to enter said other part to center it and to engage and compress the rod washer about a pump rod inserted in said tap, said other part being provided with means aiording connection for an air pump or the like, said means including a nipple obliquely disposed with respect to the axis of said other part and having a valve in its outer end, and said one part having an opening through which said nipple projects when said two parts are assembled.

4. A beer barrel tap comprising a two part structure, one part adapted to receive and envelop the other part, said other part being provided with means forming a seat for a rod washer and for receiving a rod washer, said one part adapted for connection to a tap bush, and a nut inserted in engagement with said one part and having a follower adapted to enter said other part to center it and to engage and compress the rod washer about a pump rod inserted in said tap, said other part being provided with means supporting a washer for sealing connection between said tap and a bush, the movement of said nut to compress the rod washer causing endwise movement of said other part toward said bush for compressing said sealing washer against the bush.

5. A tap comprising a cylindrical body member having means at the lower end thereof for engaging a tap bush and having means at the upper end to receive a nut, said body having a side opening, a separate ferrule member within said body having an integral air valve stem projecting through said side opening to be available for use, said ferrule member having an inwardly directed annularly projecting iiange forming a rod washer shoulder, a rod washer within said ferrule on said shoulder, and a nut enegageable With the upper end of said body and carrying a follower enterable into said ferrule to compress said washer about an inserted rod.

6. A tap comprising two separate members, one of said members adapted to receive and envelop the other of said members, said one member having at one end means for engaging a tap bush and at the other end means for receiving a washer compression nut, the other of said members adapted to receive a pump rod and providing a chamber for a rod washer, said other member having in its interior an inwardly extending flange constituting a seat for the rod Washer, a rod Washer within said other member against said seat, a nut engageable with the said other end of said one member, and a follower on said nut enterable into said other member to compress said rod washer.

7. In a tap, an outer enveloping member adapted for attachment to a tap bush, an inner en` veloped member adapted to receive a rod washer and provided with an annular seat for a rod washer, a rod washer within said inner member, said seat and Washer surrounding an inserted pump rod, means enterable into said hollow member for centering said inner member and for compressing said Washer against the rod to retain the rod in said tap, said last means being supported by and operatively associated with said outer member.

8. In a beer barrel tap, an outer enveloping member adapted for attachment to a tap bush, an inner enveloped member adapted to receive a rod washer within its ends and provided with an annular seat for a rod washer, a rod washer within said inner member, said seat and Washer surrounding an inserted pump rod, and means enterable into said inner member for centering said inner member and for compressing said washer against the rod to retain the rod in said tap, said last mentioned means being supported by and operatively associated with said outer member.

9. A beer barrel tap comprising a two part structure, one part adapted to receive and envelope the other part, said other part provided with means forming a seat for a rod washer and for receiving a rod washer, a rod washer within said other part, said one part being adapted for connection to a tap bush, and a member having threaded engagement with said one part and having a portion adapted to enter said other part to center it and to engage and compress the rod washer about a pump rod inserted in said tap.

10. A barrel tap including an outer hollow member having means at one end for interlocking engagement with a tap bush, an inner hollow member having an annular extension for supplying pressure to the interior of a barrel, said outer member having an opening for said extension, said inner member having an axial length less than the diameter of said outer member, the construction of said inner member and its extension being such that said inner member is enterable in said outer member by inserting said extension in said opening and with said inner member inverted in axial direction and then rotated to erect position within said outer member, said inner member being removable from said outer member through said one end by inverting said inner member and swinging it through an arc substantially parallel to the axis of the outer member, said inner member passing said one end of said outer member with its axis substantially transversely of the axis of said outer member, and means for causing relative movement of said two members in opposite axial directions for securing said tap to a tap bush and for centering said inner member with respect to the first member.

FRANK E. RICE. 

